President Obama covers the November issue of GQ France. Of greater interest to American pundits is the fallout or upside concerning Obama’s conversations with an Iowa newspaper.

After a scathing blog post by the Des Moines Register about President Barack Obama’s interview with the newspaper being off the record, a transcript of the interview was posted this morning.

In the interview, the president articulated his goals on immigration, saying he felt “confident” about accomplishing immigration reform in a second terms. Obama also referenced what he described as the GOP’s alientation of the Latino Community. CNN continues the report:

“And this is a relatively new phenomenon,” he continued. “George Bush and Karl Rove were smart enough to understand the changing nature of America. And so I am fairly confident that they’re going to have a deep interest in getting that done. And I want to get it done because it’s the right thing to do and I’ve cared about this ever since I ran back in 2008.”

President Obama talked at length about the upcoming “fiscal cliff” he expects to avoid after a difficult struggle next year.

Obama suggested his grand bargain would offer “$2.50 worth of cuts for every dollar in spending,” which he said “credibly” fits within the parameters of the bipartisan, Simpson-Bowles fiscal commission the president organized last year but whose recommendations he declined to endorse.

Politicodoes a reality check on the fiscall cliff, reminding readers that Republican senators Mitch McConnell and Max Baucus are up for reelection in 2014.

The very senators — think Mitch McConnell and Max Baucus — who will be central to a sweeping tax-and-spending deal are the same ones who could face the most difficult reelection bids of their careers, come 2014. Primary threats from the right loom large over Republican senators as they negotiate tax rates. Moderate Democrats also could be squeamish about tax hikes or cuts to Medicare. And whatever tax and spending deal emerges is certain to anger large voting blocs and inspire serious general election opposition.

Please note that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has officially endorsed ONE candidate in the Congressionsl races. Therefore, he must feel strongly about Tea Party candidate Richard Mourdock. Romney made this ad on Monday, before a Tuesday night debate declaring God’s role in the pregnancies of women who are raped.

French Roast News

Anne is reading …

Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock said Wednesday that the media and opponents have “twisted” his comments from last night’s debate, in which he said that when a woman becomes pregnant during rape “it is something that God intended.” The candidate added “I don’t believe biology works in an uncontrolled fashion.”

Mourdock’s comments sent Democats into a unified assault on the statements, while Republican Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire cancelled plans to campaign with Mourdock. Massachusetts Republican Sen. Scott Brown, in a tough race with Elizabeth Warren, has also spoken out against Mourdock.

Jen Psaki, speaking for the Obama campsign, called Mourdock’s comments “outrageous and demeaning to women” before issuing a reminded that a president Romney would be working with Republicans committed “that women should not be able to make choices about their own health care.” viaABC News

Race To the Finish

“Gov. Romney disagrees with Richard Mourdock’s comments, and they do not reflect his views,” Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul said in a statement.

>The new controversy brings to mind Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin’s earlier remark that victims of “legitimate rape” rarely become pregnant. When asked about his views on whether rape victims should have access to abortion, Akin said famously: “If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down.”

Sen. Claire McCaskill, initially perceived to one of the easiest Democratic incumbents to defeat in 2012 now maintains a 5-point lead over Akin in the most recent polls. CBS reports today that Todd Akin was arrested several times in anti-abortion protests in the 1980s. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported yesterday that there are at least three accounts of Akin being arrested but never charged.

Race to the Finish

Politico reports:

Massachusetts Senate candidate Elizabeth Warrenhas opened a 6-point leadover incumbent Scott Brown in a new poll conducted by radio statio WBUR. In an earlier poll, Elizabeth Warren trailed 47 percent to 43 percent.

Warren has opened up a convincing lead among women, 52 percent to 39 percent, as she attacks Brown for not standing up for abortion rights and equal pay in the Senate. Brown leads among men by a mere 2 points: 44 percent to 42 percent.

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